Public Statements

Letter To The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker Of The House

Letter

Today, Congressmen John Adler (D-NJ, 3rd District) and Patrick Murphy (D-PA, 8th District) voted in favor of a bill to block Members of Congress from receiving an automatic pay raise. In a letter to Speaker Pelosi earlier this year, the Congressmen insisted that Members of Congress should not take the automatic pay raise while hardworking New Jersey and Pennsylvania families and seniors continue to struggle to make ends meet. The Congressmen are also both cosponsors of H.R. 1597, which would eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

In 2007, Representative Murphy voted against the pay increase and, when it passed anyway, donated the increase to charity. Representative Adler was not in Congress at the time.

"As families and small businesses tighten their belts, so should Congress," said Congressman John Adler. "It's about time Washington recognizes the sacrifices our seniors and families are making during these difficult times."

"There's a serious disconnect in Washington if Congress thinks it's okay to give themselves pay raises when families back home are still struggling," said Rep. Murphy.

The text of the letter follows:

January 25, 2010

The Honorable Nancy PelosiSpeaker of the HouseU.S. House of RepresentativesH-232, U.S. CapitolWashington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Speaker:

In 2009, the House of Representatives wisely voted to deny Members of Congress automatic pay raises for Fiscal Year 2010. In these difficult times, with so many hard working families struggling to make ends meet, denying the automatic Congressional pay raise was appropriate and we applaud your leadership on the issue.

As you know, the law which grants Members of Congress an automatic pay raise is still in effect, and according to its formula, Members could receive up to a 5% increase if no action is taken. At a time when the national unemployment rate is 10%, we feel it is unthinkable to allow this automatic pay raise to pass into effect for Fiscal Year 2011.

Therefore, we are urging you to do everything within your power to stop the Fiscal Year 2011 automatic pay raise for Members of Congress. Thank you for your consideration of this request.